Map : GTM -Buttermilk Butte
We reconned Thompson Ridge Road the last time we were out here and were surprised we could drive to just above 3400' yesterday. The Southern exposure and thinning of the forest allows the road to melt out early. We headed NW to gain Thompson Ridge but didn't get to far before putting on gaiters, the snow was wet and soft, it was 47 degrees and sunny, and snowshoes soon followed. The amount of snow picked up quite early on with post holing even with snowshoes at times, it was too soft to ever stay on top. We didn't know what we could expect from the ridge and planned on going out to the high point of 5580, after 3 hours and a little over 3 miles we had passed Point 4936' the most open spot for views, and found ourselves on 5082' where we had lunch and decided to not continue on the increasingly forested ridge another 3 miles then backtrack 6 -7 miles instead heading North and following that ridge to Gobblers Knob 4278', dropping down to Thompson Ridge Rd. and hiking it back to the car. The views are nice the whole way all though there are trees along the ridge blocking sweeping uninterrupted viewness, the sun was very bright even with my sun glasses it was bright, but it was warm in the sun eating lunch. Steve aka "Java Man" sustained himself on coffee once again and had an extra strong workout as he forgot his trekking poles. He did use one of mine going down the steep north side of 5080' much of the snow was crap and had you skiing or sinking. We eventually ended up on Gobblers Knob after taking in a bounty of mountain goodness where we dropped down it's East side a little before taking off the snowshoes. Once we hit the North end of Thompson Rd. it was a walk back to the car and much of it it was compact snow until we cleared the pass and came around the South side. Good trip with some great views the cornices on Gray Peak appeared to be the biggest looking through the binoculars Steve estimated 20 - 30' high. Wowza. 9.7 mi, 3100'.
Thomson Ridge - Gobblers Knob Loop
In the beginning.
Seance - Starlet - Star
Star - Oval - Gray - Tuckaway far right and back.
End of Ravens Ridge - Libby Lake Basin - Hoodoo - Spirit
Snowshoe Ridge - Sawtooth Ridge Peaks - Black Ridge and it's summit.
Awesome angle looking up West Fork Little Bridge Creek at our route up to the North summit of Midnight Mtn.
Nice scenery but the surface conditions seem a bit overly varied.
Such is Spring in the mountains bring it all and hope for the best. There are some openings now in the road systems that will get you close enough to access points. There was quite a bit of water standing and flowing several roads have it flowing over them and they are washing out slightly a spike in temp or heavy rain could close them.
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